Snacking

Sometimes, finding snacks that are Vegan friendly are even harder than meals

• Milk Solids
• Casein
• Whey
• Honey &
• Gelatine 

are just some of the little evils standing between me and that tasty muesli bar, or free gummy bears at Vapiano, or those flavoured soy crisps.

In some ways it's good.  You have to continuously be conscious of what you're eating and can't eat as much of the junky stuff out there.  But sometimes, it's also very tragic, like when you find out that your favourite cereal has honey in it.

So here is an example of what I packed for snacks today, it's a pretty typical days worth of snacks too:

• Carrot sticks
• Fruit and nut mix
• an Apple
• Go Natural Fruitnut Bar - Choc and Macadamia (Newly discovered! No dairy in them :) just; Dates, Macadamias, Almonds & Coca!)

Yum :)

Why I Became a Vegan

Photo source

So I sent this email to my brother the other day because I’m trying to convert him to vegetarian/veganism (from here to be referred to as ‘vegism’ ) Well, no, I’m not really trying to convert him, just trying to get him to think about the reasons why I have and whether that is something he believes in. I find that a lot of people don’t really think about what they are eating and where it came from. Kind of like religion in that people are born and raised as a certain religion and stay in that religion because that is what they know and perhaps they don’t even think about it. Of course this is a generalisation, but I know that it does happen. Similarly, I know people who eat meat yet cannot look at when it is covered in blood, or in fact eat it if it still resembles the animal. Personally, I don’t think that is right and that is one of the reasons I give when people ask me why I’m vegan; I couldn’t kill an animal myself, so I don’t think I can justify eating it, it would be kind of hypocritical I think. I especially couldn’t justify it if my reasoning was; ‘but it’s just so tasty!’ So yeah, here is my journey to veganism, or to where I am in it, not that it’s a destination as such.

I became vegetarian about 4 years ago. I'd always had an inclination towards it, but never acted on it because I was worried that I would not be healthy, also I didn't want to make it harder for Mum with cooking or how that would all work out. So I researched it a lot more and talked it over with my parents and we came to a compromise of sorts; they totally respected my decision as long as I made sure I ate healthily.

I think what really drove me to take the step was chicken. Admittedly, that stuff is tasty, as is most meat (from what I remember) but chickens can be so, so gross. Firstly, they live in their own shit; secondly, when mum used to make spaghetti sauce she'd put chicken drumsticks in with it. This would make the meat all soft, flavoursome and easy to eat, but they would have all these little bones and weird black stuff on the bone and yuck. Also KFC chicken, sometimes it isn't cooked totally and you can see the little arteries and stuff :( Anyway, chicken was the biggest motive and continues to be the biggest turn off.

Also there is the issue of inhumane farming and killing of animals. There are so many documentaries online about this and I think the one that best covers all the issues is Earthlings; the first part of which is here:
Earthlings Part 1 - youtube
I warn you though, it is a little lengthy and very graphic. In fact I've only watched the first bit because I can't stomach seeing this kind of stuff - but I guess that is why I'm vegan!

Photo source

So, after a few years of being vegetarian I became vegan. Mostly I was curious about it, like, what would I eat? What is it like to be vegan? Truthfully, sometimes it's pretty damn annoying, I mean, there is a growing number of vegans around (especially in cities) but it’s still quite uncommon, so sometimes it is hard to find food when you're out. But I find it's even harder at other people's houses and at parties because people are just not used to catering for that lifestyle. So everyone will be eating the yummy looking food and happily bonding over it and I'm chilling out with my salad feeling all left out and forgotten.

But despite that, I just cannot justify, well, mainly eating meat, but also using any animal product or exploiting animals in any way. I don't need to eat animals or eggs or honey or drink milk to be healthy, nor to be satisfied. Essentially, if I did I would just be doing it because I was selfish or greedy. I read an article recently which really effectively summed up the vegan lifestyle and explored why the author chooses a vegan lifestyle. She basically says that we don’t NEED to exploit animals like we do, you can read it here:
Vegan Clothing Explained

So that is a pretty quick summary of how I got to where I am with my vegism. Are you a vegan or vegetarian? Why did you choose to become one? Or why do you choose not to?

- michelle

Vegetarians, from the other point of view!

My boyfriend shared this link with me the other day, I think he may have been suggesting something, but it's good to be able to laugh at yourself:

Spinach, Potato & Mushroom Seasoned Scone-Based Pizza with Pesto Sauce - experiment!

Spinach, Potato & Mushroom Seasoned Scone-Based Pizza with Pesto Sauce - experiment!

Tonight, with my minimal fridge supplies, I decided to resort to a more pantry orientated meal.

Base:

I combined some ideas I got from Vegan Now! And a scone based pizza recipe I googled:

·         2 cups of Flour

·         2 tea spoons of Baking Powder

·         Pinch of Salt

·         30g (2 and a bit tbsp) Margarine (vegan of course)

·         1 Cup of Soy Milk

·         1 ground Linseed/Flaxseed egg replacement

Dough-y 

Method

·         Combine the ground linseed/flaxseed with water

·         In large, separate bowl sift Flour, Baking Powder and Salt

·         Add butter (soft or room temperature) by pinching with fingers until lumps are out

·         Then add milk and egg replacer

·         Work until all flour pockets are combined

You might want to experiment with quantities – I tend not to work off exact measurements.  According to the recipe in 
Vegan Now! You don’t actually need the egg replacement, but I find that the base tends to be too crumble-y otherwise.  You can also use wholemeal flour, or self rising (in which case you wouldn’t use 
the baking powder).  Also, another tip I got from VN! is to add herbs to the dough base to give it extra flavour.

Now turn the dough into something base looking.  
You can either; roll it out between two pieces of baking paper and remove the top layer after you have your desired width and thickness, or alternatively, 
you can work on a well floured space.  I actually just floured the baking tray, placed the ball on the centre and worked it out

Pesto Sauce

·         Basil

·         Chopped Garlic

·         Oil

·         Vegan Parmesan (I’ve also read that ground almonds create a ‘cheesy’ flavour )

Method

·         Combine in blender

Bring it altogether!

·         Spread pesto sauce onto base

·         Add desired toppings, I have used

o   Sliced potato

o   Spinach

o   Mushroom, &

o   Rosemary – yum!

I also sprinkled some more vegan Parmesan - totally optional

·         Place in a 240C preheated oven to cook for 15-20 minutes

This is what I did and I found that it was a little bit dry.  This could be compensated by some ‘wetter’ toppings or drizzling some sauce on the top; perhaps a tomato based one, maybe plum sauce? Or perhaps even just some olive oil?

It’s also been suggested that I’m hyper critical of my cooking... and it did pass the roommate test! Let me know how it goes if you try yourself :)  

- michelle

First Post! :O

Dear Future Readers,

As this is my first blog I figured I’d do a little introduction.

After being a vegetarian for 3+ years, I have recently turned to veganism.  I thought I would make a record of my explorations, experiments and adventures in my newfound lifestyle choice.  I decided to do this publicly so others, who are conscious of the effects their choices create and who would like to live more sustainably, can learn from my own journey.  I’ve also found that there isn’t a huge presence of Australian (specifically Brisbane) vegan bloggers and so I wanted to contribute some localised information to the blogosphere!

I hope to update regularly and will be posting on things like; daily meals (if they’re interesting), sustainable lifestyle choices, organic food and other products, current affairs and other things that relate to living green, organic or vegan!

Like I said, I’m kind of new to this stuff and this blog will be documentation of my progression and development, not only for others to be entertained by and learn from, but also as a platform to hear from others and learn from them.  So please, if you have any thoughts, ideas or suggestions on things I should look into or consider please let me know!

Graciously yours,

- michelle